BlackBerry 10: What Smartphone Buyers Should Know About RIM's New Mobile OS

By Don Reisinger |
Posted 2012-05-01

BlackBerry 10: What Smartphone Buyers Should Know About RIM's New Mobile OS

Research In Motion is officially getting its act together and starting to
show that it wants to compete far more effectively in the mobile space. The
company on May 1 unveiled more details on BlackBerry 10 and released it to
developers who want to start building applications for the platform. The mobile
firm also showed off a prototype handset running BlackBerry 10 that it is using
in the development process.

For developers and investors, May 1 was an exciting day. RIM had been
keeping BlackBerry 10 and its associated plans close to the vest, causing some
to second-guess whether the company had what it takes to be successful in the
mobile market again. Now that RIM has shown at least a bit more of its hand, it
may be able to at least slow the defections of BlackBerry users until they get
a look at BlackBerry 10 production models later this year.

But now a host of BlackBerry 10 details are already out there, and anyone
interested in the future of RIM and its BlackBerry smartphones should learn all
about them to make the most informed buying decisions.

Interestingly, RIM decided against showing off a physical keyboard with
BlackBerry 10. The move was a not-so-subtle confirmation of earlier reports
claiming the company would only
launch touch screen-based BlackBerry 10 devices this year. Its a nice
departure for RIM, but those who want physical keys shouldnt worry: Theyre
likely launching those models next year.

2. The Pull gesture is rather neat

One of the biggest issues with mobile platforms today is the inability to
quickly glance at a window behind the one thats active. With BlackBerry 10s
pull gesture, users will be able to slide the active window aside and take a
glance at another. Its something other companies, like Apple, should consider
bringing to their platform.

3. The camera improvements are huge

Arguably the biggest enhancement to BlackBerry 10 is its camera feature. The
camera has the ability to record several versions of the same image the instant
a picture is taken. This gives users the ability in effect to go back in time
to edit and change the image. Users can tap any place on the photo to see how
that particular part of an image looked in an earlier slice of time. So, for
example, if you take a photo of a person who closed his or her eyes at the
moment the camera flashed, its possible to tap the eyes to go back to a
slightly earlier version when the persons eyes were open. Neat, huh?

4. RIM is focusing on developers

RIM has made it clear that developers are taking center stage with
BlackBerry 10. In fact, the company on May 1 launched its toolkit in beta to
help developers start creating applications for the operating system. The
launch also includes support for Cascades, which RIM says, should help
developers create far more graphically rich apps.

Where Will the Enterprise Factor In?

5. RIM has sights set on Apple

Its no secret that
RIM has its sights set on Apple with BlackBerry 10. The operating system is
designed for touch screens, the test device comes with a big touch display, and
the company is trying to woo consumers. Apples iPhone is officially in RIMs
crosshairs. But will RIM be able to catch up?

6. Uniqueness is an issue

The issue with taking on Apples iPhone and iOS is that it sometimes makes
competitors look like a copycat. After all, how many different ways can a
company develop a gesture for zooming in on text or answering a phone call?
Other observers noted that BlackBerry 10 looks remarkably like Windows Phone 7.
While BlackBerry 10 does have features that are unique in its own right, the
average consumer who doesnt know the ins and outs of the software will think
that RIM is using the Windows Phone 7 look and feel to catch up to Apple. And
thats not necessarily good.

7. Where will the enterprise factor in?

Oddly, RIM didnt spend too much of its time talking about the corporate
world at its first day at BlackBerry World.
And its decisions with BlackBerry 10namely, bundling the software with
full touch-screen support and no physical keyboard to bootseems to indicate a
more consumer-driven focus. RIM isnt turning its back on the enterprise, of
course, but itll have to make that clear to the corporate world sooner rather
than later.

8. Licensing is a possibility

According to the latest reports on BlackBerry 10, RIM might have decided to
make the operating system a bit more consumer-friendly than past versions to
entice other vendors to license it and offer it on their own devices. RIM wont
say that, of course, but it certainly seems to make some sense. RIM cant beat
Apple or Google without licensing its operating system.

9. Simplicity reigns supreme

One of the nicest things about BlackBerry 10at least from the images and
videosis that its simple to use. RIM has found ways to make it easy for users
to access applications, stream content to a television and more. Simplicity
reigns supreme on BlackBerry 10, and that should be celebrated.

10. RIM is still RIM

Sadly, RIM is still, well, RIM. Although the company has high hopes for
BlackBerry 10 and
the software is a sizable jump over BlackBerry 7, theres nothing
compelling in it that would make Apple or Google fans want to switch. RIMs
inherent issue is a general inability to show a unique value proposition. And
unfortunately for the company, it failed at that once again with BlackBerry 10.